Kidnapped Gujarat boy rescued from Orissa

An 18-month-old child, whose kidnapping last week from Gujarat's Surat city had led to a campaign against Chief Minister Narendra Modi, was on Sunday found near a temple in Orissa, police said.

Pranshu Siroya, son of diamond trader Ajay Siroya, was rescued early in the morning from Panasbasta village under the Banki police station in Cuttack district, 50 km from Bhubaneswar, Surat Police Inspector GJ Jadeja who headed the Gujarat police team to rescue the child told reporters.

When a joint team of police officials from Gujarat and Orissa reached the village, Pranshu was found alone near a Shiva temple, he said.

The police official said the boy was kidnapped by one Rushi Swain, a resident of the nearby Gopalpur village, who worked as a security guard in Siroya's home in Surat.

After kidnapping Pranshu, Swain allegedly came to his village and left the child with a relative in Panasbasta village since he was afraid of police, he said.

The abductor was still absconding and the motive behind the kidnapping will be known after he is arrested, Jadeja said.

Police have detained Kapila Swain, a relative of the kidnapper, for interrogation.

The child was examined by doctors here and was found fit to be taken back to Surat.

"His family members have been informed about the good news," the police official said.

The Gujarat police team left Bhubaneswar by a flight to Mumbai on their way to Surat.

Pranshu's kidnapping on June 17 had spelt trouble for Modi as many rebel legislators of Gujarat's ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) had criticised the government for what they termed as the worsening law and order situation.